Hauts-de-France is the ideal region to go on a discovery trip: you will find beautiful nature, cities with a rich history and a variety of attractions and entertainment opportunities. The northernmost region of France is easy and accessible from the Benelux and Great Britain. Meet this region from your cottage in Hauts-de-France.
From your holiday home in France you could start with a visit to the Nord department. The heart of this department consists of a large wooded area, namely the park of Saint-Amand -les-Eaux . A visit to the Matisse museum is definitely worth it. This museum was founded by Henri Matisse in 1952 and holds an extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings and engravings. Do visit the city of Lille from your cottage in Nord-Pas-de-Calais. This capital hosts the Musée des Beaux Arts, the second largest museum in France (after the Louvre in Paris).
From your holiday home in Nord-Pas-de-Calais you could also make a trip to Pas-de-Calais. This coastal region is also called Côte d'Opale. During a walk or bike ride along the coast enjoy the impressive chalk cliffs, beaches, dunes and rock formations. A seaside holiday in this region also takes you to fishing villages as Audresselles of Wissant and to resorts like Hardelot and Le Touquet Paris-Plage. Do visit the capital city of Calais, Arras. Here you can admire the Belford of Arras; this famous bell tower of the town hall is located at the Place des Heros and dates from the 16th century.
During a holiday in Nord-Pas- de-Calais you really can see how versatile this department is. The port of Calais connects to Dover in England by ferry or through the Channel Tunnel.
If you are looking for a protected natural environment, local culture and visiting monuments, then Picardy is the place to be. This region has a beautiful coastline with clear blue water, green valleys, forests and swamps. A holiday home in Somme leads you to the Baie of Somme, one of the most beautiful bays in the world and a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. A unique way to explore this beautiful natural reserve is by crossing the bay during low tide accompanied by a guide. During this tour you will visit Le Crotoy and Saint Valéry sur Somme. On the way you will meet beautiful flora and fauna and you can enjoy bird and seal watching.
The capital of Picardy is Amiens, a city with beautiful sights. The Amiens Cathedral has been listed as a UNESCO Wolrd Heritage Site and is one of the largest Gothic churches from the 13th century. The city is also known for 'hortillonnages', these are floating allotments on small islands in the swamps along te River Somme. Other recommendations during your stay in Picardy include visiting the home of Jules Verne and the famous Asterix theme park near Chantilly.
The spacious and beautiful city of Beauvais in Oise takes you back to the Middle Ages and introduces you to the St. Peter's Cathedral, its beautiful gardens with abbeys and the tapestry of Beauvais, a tradition which dates back to the 17th century. In Saint-Quentin you will find the nature reserve Marais d'Isle where you really should visit one of the many workshops, where you can admire the craftsmanship of the textile industry.